Controller



G. H. WHITTINGHAM. FGNI'TION CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I4, I9I9.

Patented May 2, 1922.

UNITI-:D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IGNITION-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1922.

Application led January 14, 1919. Serial No. 271,135.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE H. WHTTTTNG- HAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition-Circuit Controllers, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to a switch mechanism for automatically interrupting the primary circuit of a battery ignition system for internal combustion engines, in order to prevent the discharge of the battery in case the operator leaves the key or plug switch closed while the engine is stopped. In carrying out my invention, I provide a switch in the primary circuit of. the system, and means whereby when the engine is cranked to start the same, the switch will be automatically closed, and will remain closed during the operation of the engine and until a short time after the engine has ceased to operate, when the switch will open.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the invention.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an ignition system and my improved circuit .controlling device attached to an internal combustion engine;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through said device and a portion of the intake pipe of the engine;

Fig. 3 is a central section through the metal bellows which operates the switch; and,

Fig. 4 is an end view of the same.

-Referring to the drawing, A indicates an internal combustion engine, and B indicates the automatic circuit controlling device. This device is shown in Fig. 1 connected in the primary circuit 1 of a battery ignition system, the battery being shown at 2, and the usual dashboard switch for opening |and closing the primary circuit being indicated at 3. The primary circuit leads through the circuit breaker, so marked, and the secondary or high tension circuit 4 leads from' the spark coil to the distributor and thence to the spark plugs 5 ofthe engine, as shown.

The automatic circuit closing device comprises .a switch s, contained in a dust-proof casing 6, said switch comprising a stationary contact 7 and a spring contact arm 8, both of which are shown connected to binding screws 9, in' a cylindrical block of insulating material 10, which is threaded into and closes one end of the casing 6. The outer ends of the bindin posts .are also shown enclosed by a suitab e cover 11, threaded on to the closure 10. Thecasin 6 is formed or provided with a threaded nlpple 12, adapted to fit into a threaded openlng 13, in the intake manifold 14 of the engine. This threaded nipple has a very restricted passageway 15, extending through it, and this passageway connects with a slmilar passageway in the stem 16, threaded into the base of the casing. This stem supports a normally expanded bellows 17, composed of a serles of thin, circularly corrugated metal dlsks 18, those disks intermediate the ends of the bellows having openings .at their centers, each disk having its periphery connected to the periphery of one disk 1n the series and its inner margin connected to the inner margin of another disk, forming a serles of cells between the disks, as shown in Fig. 3. This type of bellows, which is well known, isv peculiarly adapted to ,the presentv purpose slnce it collapses completely under moderate reduction in internal pressure, and expands positively, but with slight force, when the pressures are equalized, Iand when expanded it has relatively large volumetric capacity compared with the size of the passageway in the stem 16, through which air enters the bellows. Hence, the bellows will expand slowly in filling with air through said passageway, `and its movable end has a relatively long range of movement between its extreme positions. The movable end of the bellows carries a knob 19, which engages a knob 20 of insulating material on the switch arm 8, near the limit of the expand- `ing movement of the bellows, and moves said switch .arm to open position, where it is held as long as the bellows is expanded. When suction is applied to the bellows, the latter collapses, causing the switch S to close at thecommencement of the collapsing movement, and after the switch has closed,the knob 19 continues to move away from the knob 20, for a considerable distance, until the bellows has entirely collapsed, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. When the suction ceases, the bellows slowly expands, and at the nal part of its expanding movement, the knob 19 opens the switch, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The bellows is enclosed in a suitable casin 6. l

The switch controlling device is screwed into the intake pipe and its binding posts are connected in the primary circuit between the switch 3 and the spark coil, as shown. Normally, the primary circuit will be interrupted at the switch s, but as soon as the engine is cranked to start it, the suction in the intake pipe will cause a partial vacuum in the bellows, which latter will collapse and permit the switch .9 to close. It will be evident that as long as the motor continues in operation, the circuit will be closed at the switch 8. If, however, the engine is stopped, the pressure in the intake pipe will rise to normal and the bellows will expand. This expansion, however, is delayed by reason of the restriction of the orifice 15, and the opening of the switch by the expansion of the bellows will be delayed lfor several seconds, owingfto the slow expansion and the distance which the knob 19 must travel before it engages the knob 20 on the switch.

It will be noted that on account of the delayed opening movement of the bellows and the distance betweenthe bellows and the switch, the latter cannot be opened by a momentary rise in pressure in the intake pipe, nor by the jolting of the vehicle. Should the operator for any reason stall his engine and leave the switch 3 closed, the drop in pressure in the intakeY pipe will allow the bellows 17 to expand, and the opening of the switch s will follow in a predetermined time, say three or four seconds after the complete stoppage of the engine. Thus, even though the switch 3 remains closed, the battery will not be discharged because of the open circuit at the switch s.

As the moving parts of the circuit controlling device are all enclosed, they cannot be injured by weather or dirt. Furthermore, the device can be attached to any internal combustion engine having a battery ignition system without in any way deranging the system.

What I claim is:

1. A vacuum controlled switch adapted for operation by the suction of an internal combustion engine comprising a normally expanded bellows adapted to collapse in rey sponse to reduction in internal pressure, said bellows having a relatively small inlet o ening adapted to restrict the flow of fluid into the bellows .and retard the movement oi'. its walls, a normally o en switch adapted to be closed by said bel part of its contracting movement and to opened thereby during the final part of its expanding movement, said bellows having a relatively long range of movement after the closure of the switch and also prior to the opening of the switch.

2. A vacuum controlled switch adapted Vfor operation by the suction of an internal combustion engine comprising a normally expanded bellows, adapted to collapse in response to reduction in internal pressure and having a relatively small inlet opening adapted to restrict the iiow of Huid into the bel lows .and retard the movement of its walls, said bellows comprising a series of thin metal disks having central openings, each disk secured at its periphery to the periphery of one disk in the series and secured at its inner margin to the inner margin of another disk in the series, said disks normally forming a series of expanded cells, and a normally open switch adapted to be closed by said bellows during the initial part of its collapsing movement and to be opened thereby during the final part of its expanding movement, said bellows having a relatively long range of movement after the closure of the switch and also prior to the opening of the switch.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE H. WHITTINGHAM. Test:

FELIX R. SULLIVAN.

ows during the initial f' 

